On Memorial weekend, May 27, 2018 hundreds of powerboats will take part in the 17th annual Leverick Bay Poker Run which will see more than 250 boats from Puerto Rico, Miami and the [US] Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

Expectations is said to be very high for this year's Poker Run to be held on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Photo:Facebook

Poker Run Boat Ride scheduled to depart form Road Town at 9:00 A.M. and dock at Virgin Gorda at 9:30 A.M. before the competition begins. Photo: Facebook

Under the guidance of Nick Willis, Manager of Leverick Bay Resort and Marina, the Leverick Bay Poker Run has become one of the most anticipated boating activity between the Virgin Islands (VI) and Puerto Rico where small, medium and big boats compete for cash prizes.

During the Leverick Bay Poker Run, participants will travel a pre-designated route, drawing a card at each stop until they complete the route at Leverick Bay Resort and Marina. At the end of the race, participants holding the best poker hand are crowned Poker Run champion. A large portion of the proceedings will be donated to a local charity Virgin Gorda Charitable Trust.

How does it work?

According to organisers, registration will begin at 8:00 A.M. where boaters will be able to purchase at least one "hand" per boat which includes a wristband that allows entrance to each stop. Each participant will then pick up a card for the game that matches a unique number to the wristbands to avoid any cheating. In addition, boaters will also receive a participating sticker for each vessel with a registration number.

The cost of a hand is $250 dollars, according to the Poker Run Leverick Bay Committee. Buying a hand means that you, as an individual, will be participating officially and have the chance of winning big cash prizes by obtaining the best poker hand possible. Purchasing a hand will also provide boaters with the opportunity to receive a raffle ticket to increase their chances of winning other prizes that add up to over $10,000.

The Poker Run organisers stated that at 10:15 A.M., the first card is selected at random (only by those who purchased a hand and who are participating officially).

Stops for this year

The official start of the run is at 11:00 A.M. with the 1st Stop/Card at Scrub Island, Tortola; 2nd Stop/Card Foxy's Bar and Restaurant, Jost van Dyke; 3rd Stop/Card Pirates Bight, Norman Island; 4th Stop/Card, Tortola Pier Park, Tortola and the 5th Stop/Finish Line, at Leverick Bay.

All Boats are expected to be back at Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda by 5:30 P.M. where the prizes will be announced.

At every stop there will be live music, merchandise from the various sponsors, lots of fun people cheering the event and, of course, many surprises and chances to win cash prizes.

There will also be a Poker Run Boat ride departing from Road Town at 9:00 A.M and concluding at Virgin Gorda at 9:30 A.M. Tickets for the boat ride are as follows: $60 (adult fare 12 +); $45 and $35 for children fare between the ages of 5 to 11.

Residents & visitors excited for 2018 Poker Run

Meanwhile, as it gets closer to the 2018 Leverick Bay Poker Run, residents and supports are excited to attend.

Speaking with Sandy L. Montano, she stated that she is “ecstatic” for this year’s event, while adding that she has been a long time spectator since it was started.

“I am actually ecstatic because I thought that there would not be an event because of the hurricane but I definitely look forward to going,” she expressed.

“It’s gonna be fun. I counting down the days for this event. This is one event I always look forward to go,” said one resident of St Thomas, USVI.

Kemar C. Calvin expressed that he and some of his friends always support the event because it is for a "good cause" while noting that he knows some of the persons who help to organise the event.

“I like to support events such as these that give back to the community. So I tell a lot of people about the event and convince them to come along with me. Especially when I tell them that funds are donated to a charitable cause, they are packed and ready,” Mr Calvin said.